Not to detract from the larger chain owned ski resorts that now populate New England’s winter playgrounds. Indeed, without this large sum of money, the snow sports industry here could not survive the temptation to visit the snowy terrains to the west and north of us. Yet with some of the country’s oldest ski resorts located in New England, the smaller family-friendly resorts, albeit small chains, convey a sense of tradition and roots – even individuality and a feel. vintage. But, of course, even these winter sports resorts need to keep up with the times, retaining all the high-tech gear needed to stay competitive and deliver top-notch skiing and snowboarding experiences. Add a stay at a unique New England inn for a truly memorable winter experience.
Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, Princeton
(499 Mountain Road. (978) 464-2300; wachusett.com)
The Wachusett Mountain Ski Area is located on the highest mountain in Massachusetts east of the Connecticut River. In fact, you can see the Boston skyline from the top of the mountain at 2,006 feet, that is, if your ski chops are sharp enough to make the hike. Wachusett is one of the state’s most popular ski resorts. It has a drop of 1,000 feet and 27 runs, evenly distributed from beginner to advanced level, all served by eight ski lifts. There are ski and snowboard lessons for children and adults; and a lively restaurant and cafe in the base lodge. Night skiers can enjoy a racing program throughout the season. Of course, there’s nothing quite like your own bed, but for anyone looking for an all-inclusive vacation, add a night at the Great Wolf Lodge Water Park (150 Great Wolf Drive. (866) 678-9653; greatwolf.com), less than five miles to Fitchburg. And if you do, don’t forget to pack your swimsuit with your snow gear.
Cranmore Ski Resort, North Conway, New Hampshire
(1 Skimobile Road, North Conway. (603) 745-9396; cranmore.com)
Cranmore Mountain Resort is one of New Hampshire’s oldest ski areas, dating back to 1937 when it opened with just one cable. This sister resort of Bromley, Vermont and Jiminy Peak, Massachusetts has certainly grown since! The 170-acre expanse of the beautiful White Mountains is anchored in professional basic lodge facilities and also offers 56 trails and impressive snow parks. There is a snow tubing, vintage roller coaster and at the top of the mountain is the Meister Hut, which offers food and drink. For the less ambitious, the Basic Lodge pub is a fun hangout. The added bonus is being just a mile from the beautiful village of North Conway, chaired by Zeb’s General Store, offering the largest collection of New England made goods in the country. The village is full of places to stay, including the recently refurbished White Mountain Hotel & Resort (87 Fairway Drive. (603) 356-7100; whitemountainhotel.com), the Cranmore Inn, a charming boutique B&B offering a hot breakfast hot (80 Kearsarge Road. (603) 356-5502; cranmoreinn.com); and the historic Eastern Slope Inn (2760 White Mountain Hwy. (603) 356-6321; Easternslopeinn.com), which offers suites with kitchenettes and excellent Flatbread’s pizza just off the lobby.
Pats Peak Ski Area, Henniker, New Hampshire
(686, chemin des Flandres. (888) 728-7732; patspeak.com)
Pats Peak is a 115-acre ski resort that has been in the same family for over 50 years. The mountain has a vertical drop of 770 feet, 28 trails (half of which are beginner trails), nine glades and three snow parks, all served by 11 ski lifts and all with a snow capacity of 100 %. Helping to lighten those dreaded lift lines, the three separate beginner areas have their own ski lifts, including two ski lifts. Although many New Englanders are learning the ropes here, the mountain offers challenging terrain to test skills, including two FIS race tracks. The newly renovated base lodge has a huge rental store with digital self-service check-in, as well as a ski boot-friendly elevator and stairs to make off-piste travel easier. There is also a snow tubing park. Spend a weekend at The Centennial (96 Pleasant St. (603) 227-9000; thecentennialhotel.com), 20 minutes from Concord. This beautifully renovated large Victorian red brick built in 1876 includes the famous Granite Bar and Restaurant, making it an elegantly comfortable and tasty après ski.
Mohawk Mountain, Cornwall, Connecticut
(46 Great Hollow Road. (860) 672-6100; mohawkmtn.com)
Family owned for more than 70 years, this ski area in northwest Connecticut was founded by Walt Schoenknecht, a member of the Ski Hall of Fame. Considering the situation in the south, Schoenknecht had to help Mother Nature a bit and developed one of the first snowmaking systems in the country. About 40 miles northwest of Hartford and about 25 miles south of Springfield, Mohawk Mountain sits in the foothills of the Berkshires and offers day and night skiing with 26 trails, seven lifts and snow cover on 95 percent of the mountain. There is also snow tubing on weekends. The encompassing Mohawk State Forest has trails at the top of the mountain for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, but these are not maintained or connected to the ski area. For a special winter treat, add a stay at Winvian Farm (155 Alain White Road, Morris. (860) 567-9600; winvian.com), less than a half hour drive south. This luxury Relais et Chateaux retreat, set around a 1775 farmhouse, offers unique and unusual individually designed cottages, a truly stunning restaurant with glowing fireplaces and a spa in a beautiful setting of farmland.
Nashoba Valley Ski Area, Westford
(9 Powers Road. (978) 692-3033; skinashoba.com)
It might not be the biggest mountain, but the Nashoba Valley ski area is where Olympic skier Pam Fletcher learned her remarkable skills, practically growing up on the slopes after her father opened up. station in 1964. Now much expanded, the facility includes a magnificent base camp. and the Outlook Restaurant and Lounge, an elegant full-service restaurant with windows literally overlooking the slopes, a particularly attractive view during night skiing sessions or during the many competitive races. Otherwise, the 50-plus acre resort offers a 240-foot vertical drop with 17 trails, nine ski lifts, and two snow parks, all fully equipped for snowmaking. Remember, New England’s largest snow tubing trail is next to the ski area. Less than 10 miles away, The Groton Inn (128 Main St., Groton. (978) 448-6600; thegrotoninn.com) is the most recent incarnation of the original inn founded in 1678, considered the oldest inn in America, which burned to the ground in 2011. There are fireplaces in the lobby and in the secluded back yard, which has one built into the three story brick fireplace. There is a fire pit at the restaurant, Forge and Vine. Right next door, but not part of the Inn, Gibbet Hill Grill (61 Lowell Road. (978) 448-2900; gibbethillgrill.com) is another great place to drink and dine, and enjoy the wonders of the winter.
Bolton Valley Resort, Bolton Valley, Vermont
(Bolton Valley Access Road. (802) 434-3444; boltonvalley.com)
Located in the beautiful Green Mountains of Vermont, the Bolton Valley Resort Bolton offers a rigorous backcountry program, including a backcountry program for beginners and cross-country skiing, which operates from the Nordic and Sports Center. neighbor, which has an indoor playground with ping-pong and pool tables, bouncy castles, an indoor skate ramp, and an indoor pool and hot tub. Stay put at The Inn at Bolton Valley, a simple but very comfortable ski lodge, and eat at the resort’s Fireside Pizza, which offers freshly baked pizzas, or the James Moore Tavern, which has a progressive bar. . program and food. Or stay in Burlington at the Vermont Hotel (41 Cherry St. (855) 650-0080; hotelvt.com), where a large wood-burning fireplace and comfortable modular seating in the open-plan lobby add a grand welcome; and the Juniper Restaurant is the perfect place to experience Vermont beers, cider, spirits and food.
Ski resort ski resort, Shrewsbury
(1000 Main Street (508) 842-6346; www.skiward.com)
Formerly known as the Ward Hill and Union HillI Ski Area, the trail has been in service since 1939 and is one of the oldest ski / snowboard areas in the country. It has a drop of 220 feet and 45 acres of ski and snowboard terrain. There are 9 runs and 4 lifts – including a triple chair, T-bar, and 250-foot treadmill – and 8 tube runs. The Slopeside Bar & Grill serves lunch, dinner, beer, wine and ice cream indoors and outdoors on a terrace with fantastic views.
Ski Bradford, Haverhill
(60 S. Cross Road. (978-373-0071. Skibradford.com)
Located in historic Haverhill, Ski Bradford offers 12 trails and a snow park spread over 48 skiable acres and is serviced by eight ski lifts. All trails and grounds are equipped with snowmaking equipment. The mountain has a drop of 248 feet, nine ski lifts serving 15 trails, glades and a snow park, all spread over 60 acres. Most of the slopes in the resort are more suited to advanced skiers, but there is plenty of room for beginner and intermediate skiers – skiing and snowboarding programs for children and adults are available. The base camp includes rentals and a snack bar for lunch breaks. Make it a stay at the newly renovated Exeter Inn (90 Front Street. 603-772-5901. Theexeterinn.com) in pretty Exeter, New Hampshire, and dine in the inn’s Epoch gastropub, a relaxed dining experience with high-end menus.
